Tool-actuating mechanism.



A. BALL & H. H. MERCER.

TOOL ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1901.

1,160,683. Patentd Nov. 16, 1915.

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A. BALL &.H. H. MERCER.

TOOL ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1907. 1 1 0 3 Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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TOOL ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION HLED MAY 20. I907.

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- rnn srnans rnran'r orrrcn ALBERT BALL AND HENRY H. MERCER, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, 013 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

TOOL-ACTUATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

Application filed May 20, 1907. Serial No. 374,575.

1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT BALL and HENRY H. MERGER, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Tool-Actuating Mechanism, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts. i

This invention relates to mechanism for reciprocatively actuating tools or other devices, being more particularly though not exclusively intended for and herein shown as applied to quarrying machines of the channeling or other desired type, although the same may have various other applications not herein referred to but falling within the spirit of the invention.

In order thatthe principles of the invention may be clearly understood, we have set forth for illustrative purposes a single type or embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an end elevation of a channeling machine embodying one form of our invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such mechanism partly in vertical section; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism partly in horizontal section and with parts removed; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, certain of the parts being shown in elevation; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional detail of the lower portion of the air pump, and Fig. 6' is a detail in section showing an automatic relief valve for the working cylinder.

Our invention contemplates the provision of tool actuating mechanism for a direct connected tool, such, for example, as the cutting tool of a channeling machine, or the like, whereby the driving motor may be mounted in convenient proximity to the tool and so connected thereto as to actuate the tool in its reciprocatory movement to and from the work through the intervention of a suitably associated elastic medium, such as compressed air.

Referring more'particularly to the single type or embodiment of the invention herein selected for illustration, we havethere shown our invention as applied to a standard form of channeling machine, the base or main frame, which may be of any suitable type or construction, is indicated at 1, it having herein axles 2 having thereon truck wheels 3, whereby the machine may be moved upon the bottom of the quarry and along the usual track provided for that purpose. Suitably mounted in the base 1 in suitable brackets thereon and disposed endwise of the base is a trunnion bar or shaft 4, whereon is mounted in any suitable manner as upon a swivel box 5 (Fig. 1) a vertically disposed standard 6, the same consisting of upright supporting and guiding members united at the bottom to the swivel box 5 and at the top joined by the arch piece 6. The box 5 is split longitudinally but may be clamped to the trunnion bar 4 in different positions thereabout by means of the vertical bolts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. Thefront face of the swivel box is provided with a projection on which is swiveled the standard 6, being clamped thereto by means of the horizontal bolts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The standard may be positioned at any desired point lengthwise of the machine upon the trunnion shaft 4 and may be tilted to any desired angle in any suitable manner, as by the use of adjustable braces 7 pivotally connected at their upper ends to the standard and at their lower ends to the frame 1.

Mounted for rotation in the upper hori- Zontal portion or arch of the standard 6 is a screw 8 having at its upper end a bevel gear 9, meshing wherewith is a pinion 10 adapted to be rotated in any suitable manner as by a sprocket 11 to which power may be applied as through connections (not shown) with the motor that propels the mechanism along the track, such sprocket wheel being provided with a handle 12 permitting manual control of the screw 8. Mounted for adjustment upon the standard toward and from the work is a sliding frame 13. As indicated more clearly in Fig. 3, the standard is preferably provided with front and back stiffening webs 1'4 and 15, furnishing guide ways for the sliding frame 13, the latter bein provided with suitable gibs 16 between which and projections upon the frame are received a portion of the stifl'ening webs 14. Mounted inthe upper portion ofthe sliding frame is a nut 17 receiving therein the screw '8, whereby the sliding frame may be moved upon the standard toward and from the work.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the sliding frame 13 is provided with vertically disposed guide ways 18, to which are suitably bolted gib plates 19. Upon said guide ways are mounted for movement toward and from the worka cross head or tool-holding memberQO of any suitable type, to which a tool or tools such as drills or a gang of cut ters may be secured.

In order to provide for the elastic or yielding medium between the tool and the driving motor, any suitable arrangement of parts may be provided, but we have herein shown means whereby a yielding cushion of, air is interposed and herein through the provision of a cooperating cylinder and piston the one part connected to the tool and the other to be reciprocated by the motor. hile either the piston or the cylinder may be connected to the tool, if desired, in the present instance, ,we have shown the cross head 20 connected directly'to the piston rod 21 and the piston 22, the latter being movable within the cylinder :23, which is mounted for reciprocation in the guideways 18.-

Any suitable mechanism may be employed to reciprocate the working cylinder 23, and thereby through it's described connection with the cross head20 reciprocate the latter and impart working strokes to the tool, but in the described embodiment of our invention, we have for this purpose pivotally connected to the upper end of the working cylinder, as at Q iga connecting rod or pitman f 25 to which a suitable reeiprocatory move ment is imparted as by a crank 26 formed upon or carried by a gear 27 mounted on the crank shaft 28 (Fig. 1). The'attachment of the connecting rod 25 or other reciprocatory driving part to the top of the working cylinder provides a very strong connection against breakage, while its connection to the cylinder, as distinguished from the piston, reduces the height of the necessary 1neehanlsm. a 7

Any suitable means may be employed to impart the desired movements of reciprocation to the tool holding means or cross head. Herein, we contemplate for the purpose, the employment of a motor such as an electricmotor of suitable type, to be mounted upon any suitable part of the mechanism. While saidmotor may be mounted upon the machine frame or upon the standard or upon' the sliding frame and suitably connected as the requirements of the case may necessitate, herein the motor is mounted upon the sliding frame, preferably being rigidly connected thereto. By this construe. tion the motor participates in the movement of the sliding frame in. feeding the tool toward the Work. While to accomplish this result the motor ma y be mounted in any suitable manner, herein the motor 29 is mounted upon a bracket 30 extending from the rear face of the sliding frame 13. Bolted to the top of the motor 29 is a bearing 32 receiving one end of the crank shaft 28, the other end whereof is suitably supported in a bearing 33 in the sliding frame. Extending horizontally from the motor is a driving shaft- 34: having thereon a pinion 35 meshing with and driving the gear 27 carrying the crank 26. In this manner, a suitable movement of reciprocation may be imparted to the tool holding means or cross head.

The engagement of the screw 8 directly with the sliding frame 13 provides a convenient and simple means for securing the ad- ]ustment of the frame toward and from the work or, in this type of the invention, a

movement downwardlv as the work progresses. \Vhile the crank shaft 528 may be suitably mounted in any manner. the mounting thereof at one end in a bearing box carried by the motor provides a strong support therefor.

Inasmuch as the motor is, in this type of the invention, carried by and movable with the sliding frame, we contemplate the provision of additional guides between the sliding' frame and the standard and adjacent the motor, thereby to steady the motor in its movement and properly guide the sliding frame and parts carried thereby. For this purpose we provide (see Fig. 3) gib plates 36 bolted to the motor and gib plates 37 secured by bolts 38 to the plates 36, thus providing between them guide ways to receive the rear stiflening webs 15 of the standard. Thus, the sliding frame and all parts'carried thereby are suitably guided upon the standard, and the motor is moved without unnecessary jar or vibration.

It is apparent that the travel of the cross head or tool holding means and that of the working cylinder are controlled by the eccentricity of the crank pinQG. The longer the stroke, thegreater will be the travel. of the cross head and the heavier the blow imparted to the work. The travel of the crank pin may be made to suit the requirements of the work to which the machine is particularly adapted, and if desired an adjustable throw thereof may be provided.

The working cylinder 23 is adapted to contain therein, both below and above the piston 22, fluid of any suitable nature as air, which may be under pressure or may be at atmospheric pressure as desired. It will be apparent that the elasticity of the blow depends upon the amount or degree of compression of the air or other fluid contained in the working cylinder. If the fluid be under high pressure a rigid blow may be imparted to the work. By varying the degree of pressure of the air or other fluid within the working cylinder, a more or less elastic blow may be imparted, and if desired the air contained in the cylinder may be at atmospheric pressure merely, in which case a very elastic strokeis imparted.

In order to build up the pressure inthe cylinder to a point suitable to give the necessary lifting and striking power, fluid may be compressed and supplied to the working cylinder in any suitable manner. This may be done automatically or non-automatically and by means apart from the working cylinder or, as in the present instance, operating in conjunction therewith. Herein for the purpose We contemplate the provision ofan air pump cylinder 39 that may be formed with the cylinder, as in one of the guides thereof, andhaving at the lower end ball or other valves l0, L0 controlling the passage 41 communicating with the interior of the working cylinder, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, through a part which by the reciprocations of the piston is placed first in communication with the top and then with the bottom of the cylinder. Mounted for relative reciprocation in the air pump cylinder 39 is a piston 42' which may be operated in any suitable manner. The ball i0 is located in the lower end of the piston and the ball in a valve casing in the lower end of the pump. In this type of the invention the piston is held fixed in. a bracket 43 on the sliding frame, whereby .at each reciprocation of the working cylinder relative to the sliding frame, the cylinder 39 is depressed and withdrawn from the piston 42 so that air or other fluid is sucked into the chamber ofthe pump through the aXial piston passage 44- communicating with the air at the upper end thereof. On upward movement of the working cylinder the air is compressed and delivered through the valve 40 to the passage-4l. In this manner upon each. stroke of the cross head and working cylinder, air is forcedinto the working cylinder both aboveand below the piston to' cushion more or less the stroke.

Any suitable means may be employed for maintaining the air at agselected and pre determined degree ofcompression within the cylinder during the operation of the machine. In the illustrated embodiment of our invention, we'have shown anair cock 45 provided at the lower end of the air pump 39, such air cock being so constructed as to permit of a fine degree of adjustment. If this cock or valve be opened slightly, the air supply to the working cylinder will be decreased, and if no air is-desired from the pump, the valve may be opened wide.- Attached'to the side of the cylinder '(Fig. 2), we have also shown an atmospheric relief valve 46, preferably midway between the cylinder ends. Such valve may be set automatically to relieveathe pressurewithin the cvlinderatany predetermined point or may be fully opened so as to place the interior of the cylinder in free communication with the atmosphere.

It will be apparent that when the valve is wide open, the blow given by the cross head-will be the most elastic. By suitable adjustment of this valve, any desired degrceof elasticity or rigiditymay be imparted to the stroke of the cross head or tool holding means.

ln'ithe described form of channeler, the truck or carriage may be automatically fed along the trackway by any suitable means,

such, for example, as the feeding or driving motor 47 mounted on the truck, and supplied, toget'her with the driving motor for the tool, with electrical power from any suitable source. The motor 4-7 is connected through a suitable clutch device, the lever for which is shown at 48 with a transverse driving shaft 49, the latter connected to drive the axles 2 through worm and gear connections as indicated. 7

While we have shown our invention as embodied in a traveling track channeling machine. it is to be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only and that the same comprises an actuating mechanism for tools or the like, which may be usefully applied to stone working or mining machines of other than the channeling type, orto machinesand devices for other and different purposes. It will also be understood that while for many purposes the use of an electrical tool actuating motor is preferable, our invention is not limited to that form of motor, and other forms of motive power may be employed.

Although we have described "specifically and in detail the selected type or form of our invention, it is'to be understood that our invention is not limited to the form or arrangement of parts set forth, or details of construction described, but that extensive modifications thereof may be made. without departing from the: spirit of our invention. Claims. v 1. Tool actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard rising therefrom, a frame mountedfor movement upon the front face of said standard toward and from the work, a screw mounted in said standard and connected to said frame to adjust the latter vertically, the bracket projecting from the rear of said frame and at the rear of said standard, a motor mounted thereon and rig idly connected to said frame', tool holding means mounted for reciprocation upon the front face of said frame, a working cylin der and a cooperating piston, crank mechanism mounted in said frame, said cylinder and piston being connected the one part to the tool holding means and the other to the crank, and connections between said.crank mechanism and said -motor whereby the working cylinderand tool holding means are'reciprocated' to impart Working strokes .to the latter. a 2. Tool'actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standardrising therefrom, a frame mounted upon said standard and movable toward and from the work, tool holding means mounted for reciprocation upon said frame, aworking cylinder mounted upon said frame and operatively connected to the tool holding means, and adjustable means operatively connected tosaid frame to compress fluid in said cylinder to a-predetermined I extent.

3. Tool-actuating mechanism comprising .a-base,,a standard on said base having spaced uprights provided with front and one part to the crank and the other to the tool-holding means, thereby working strokes to the tool.

'4. Tool-actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard rising therefrom and having front, rear and inner faces forming imparting Vgui'deways, a frame mounted for reciprocation in said guideways at the front of said standard, a motor support on said frame at the rear of saidstandard, a motor mounted on said motor support, tool-holding means 'mountedfor reciprocation upon the front of said frame, workingcylinder and a cooperatlng PlStOIl, crank-mechanism mounted in said frame, said cylinder and'piston being connected the one part to'the toolholding means and the other to the crank,

' and iconnectionsbetween said crank mechanism and said motor whereby the working cylinder. and: tool-holding "means are reciprocated'toimpart Working strokes to the latter. 5."A channeling machine having a tool carrying support, a reciprocatory tool thereon, a reciprocatory driving part, a piston: and cooperating cylinder connecting the'one to the'driving part and theother to the tool and instrumentalities for controlling theelasticity of the blow of the tool by the control of the pressure fluid admitted to; the cylinder and for independently determining the amount of such pressure fluid :retained within or released from the cylinder; r I

6. A tool actuating mechanism comprising a reciprocatory tool or the like, a reciprocatory driving part, a cylinder and a cooperating piston connected the one to the tool and the other to the driving part, and automatically acting means, including a manually adjustable device, for building up and maintaining a predetermined pressure in the cylinder or releasing such pressure to the. atmosphere at will.

7. Tool actuating mechanism comprising a reciprocatory driving part, a reciprocatory tool, a piston and cylinder connected one to the tool and the other to the driving part,

means to build up the pressure in said cylinder, and means to regulate the pressure therein.

8. In a. tool actuating mechanism, the combination with a driving part, a tool, a cylinder 23 and piston 22, connected one to the tool and the other to the driving part. the pump 39 pumping fluid to both sides of the piston and the relief valve 46 intermediate the ends of the cylinder.

9. In a tool actuating mechanism, the

combination with a tool, a driving part, a

cylinder .23 and piston 22, connected one to the tool and the other to the driving part. the pump 39 pumping fluid to both sides of the piston and the regulating valve i5.

10. A tool actuating mechanism comprising a reciprocatory tool, a reciprocatory driving part, a fluid pressure conne tion comprising'a reciprocating piston and cylinder connected one to the tool and the other to the driving parts and means including a passage leading to said cylinder and supplying fluid to opposite sides of the piston for replacing leakage of'pressure 'fluid therein and maintaining the pressure therein at a predetermined point;

11. A tool actuatingmechanism comprising a reciprocatory tool, a reciprocatory driving part, afluid pressure connection comprising a reciprocating piston and cylinder connected one to the tool and the other to the driving parts and means including valve-controlled passages leading to said cylinder and supplying fluid to opposite sides of the piston for replacing leakage of pressure fluid therein and maintaining the pressure therein at a predetermined point.

12- Tool actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard thereon, a frame mounted for movement upon the front face of the standard toward and from the work, a screw mounted in said standard and connected to said frameto adjust the latter vertically, a motor rigidly connected to the frame but located on the rear side of the standard, tool holding means arranged for reciprocation upon-the frame in front of said standard, a working cylinder an'dcooperating piston, a driving member, saidcylinder and piston being connectedone part to'the tool holding means and the other to the driving member and connections between the driving member and the motor to reciprocate the tool holding means.

13. Tool-actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard rising therefrom, a frame mounted on said standard formovement toward and from the Work, said frame being provided with a recess open at the front, and guideways at the sides of said recess, a cylinder mounted for reciprocation in said guideways, a piston cooperating with said cylinder, tool-holding means mounted for reciprocation on said frame, a motor mounted upon said frame at the rear of said standard, and a crank-shaft having a crank 0perated by said motor, said piston and cylinder being connected one part to the crank and the other to the tool-carrying means, thereby imparting working strokes to the tool. v

14;. Tool-actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard rising therefrom and having a pair of uprights, a frame mounted on said uprights for movement toward and from the work, said frame being provided with a pair of guideways, a cylinder mounted for reciprocation in said guidevvays, a piston cooperating with said cylinder, toolholding means mounted for reciprocation on said frame, a motor mounted upon said frame at the rear of said standard and having a power shaft, a crank-shaft above said power-shaft and having a crank, and driving means connecting said power-shaft and crank-shaft, said piston and cylinder being connected one part to the crank and the other to the tool-carrying means, thereby to impart Working strokes to the tool.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALBERT BALL. HENRY H. MERGER.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. PILMAN, THOMAS B. BOOTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

